By honoring God in church, it means that we build this church around God and not around a pastor or a group of pastors. We want to give God the credit always. We give God the honor by honoring one another – by not keeping offense and spreading it like wildfire. By God’s grace, we have not seen any church split after twenty five years of doing ministry. We may not agree on everything in a meeting in the conference room but when we go out (after a decision is made) we are in full support with one another.

We honor God in church by realizing that this is His body and that we need to walk united and connected with one another. Jesus will not come back for  mutilated bride but a glorious church without spot, blemish or wrinkle.

Eph. 5:27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

Jesus loves His church. He gave His life for His bride. Let us honor Him by keeping the unity of the faith.

I love this Church!

Eccl. 7:1 A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.

Solomon said that death is better than birth because death is the summation of a person’s life. What will people say about us when we are finally lying down in our casket?  What would you like them to say about you? The words spoken are dependent on how you live your life NOW and how you will nurture the relationships that you have.

While I agree that words of honor should be said about a person when he is dead to summarize his life’s accomplishments and celebrate the relationships that he made. We need to take the time to honor our loved ones while they are still alive.  Let them hear how much we love and appreciate them.

Do not wait until they are dead before you say those beautiful speeches.

Say it while they can hear it.

In contrast, a wedding is an ocassion where the couple openly say what they feel for each other.

I like going to  weddings. It’s a celebration of a couple’s love for each other.

Tonight, I am officiating a renewal of vows ceremony for a couple in church. They have been married for 25 years.  They will be expressing their commitment to one another. And they will do it publicly before friends and family. They will say how much they love and appreciate each other and will make a promise that they will be faithful to the other until the very end.

Of course, words of affirmation should not just be said during the wedding ceremony but should be a regular part of the married life.

1Th. 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.